Howard Webb#2010 FIFA World Cup

Webb was born to Sylvia and Billy Webb and grew up in Rotherham, Yorkshire. His father was a referee for 35 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/referee-the-world-cup-final-howard-webb-can-t-even-control-his-own-children-says-wife-6490270.html|title=Referee the World Cup final? Howard Webb can't even control his own children says wife|date=9 July 2010|work=Evening Standard|access-date=31 October 2019}} He went to Brinsworth Comprehensive School.{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/howard-webb-man-middle-mbe-1944298|title=Howard Webb: Man in the middle with an MBE|date=14 January 2011|work=Yorkshire Post|access-date=1 October 2020}}

Webb first took up refereeing in local leagues in 1989. In 1993, he progressed to the Northern Counties East League as an assistant referee, becoming a referee for that league two years later.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

In 1996, he was appointed as a Football League assistant referee and, in 1998, fulfilled the same function in the Premier League, as well as being promoted to the Football Conference as a full referee. He was a police officer with South Yorkshire Police but took sabbatical leave to concentrate on his refereeing.{{cite web |url=http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=501&linkType=referee&contextType=dyk |author=Jams Ng |title=I have to be honest, Howard |publisher=worldreferee.com |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202011520/http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=501&linkType=referee&contextType=dyk |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|author=Dominic Fifield in Durban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/08/howard-webb-referee-world-cup-final1 |title=World Cup 2010: England's Howard Webb to referee World Cup final | Football |newspaper=The Guardian |date= 8 July 2010|access-date=12 July 2010 | location=London}}

In 2000, Webb was included on the National List of Football League referees and three years later was promoted to the Select Group of professional referees who can take charge of Premier League games. His first game in the top tier of English football was on 18 October 2003 when he took charge of a 0–0 draw between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers.[http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=404273 First ever] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001044730/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=404273 |date=1 October 2007 }} Premier League match: soccerbase.com website. He was appointed to FIFA's international referees' list in 2005.[https://web.archive.org/web/20040823231245/http://www.fifa.com/en/regulations/referees/singlem/0,1576,MENG,00.html Confirmation] of international status: FIFA.com Official website.

Since then, Webb has been appointed to referee some of world football's highest-profile matches, including a UEFA Champions League final and a FIFA World Cup final.

Webb officiated the 2005 Community Shield at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the annual match between the Premier League winners and the FA Cup winners of the previous season. League winners Chelsea went 2–0 up through two Didier Drogba goals, but Cesc Fàbregas netted a goal for FA Cup winners Arsenal 25 minutes before the end. It was a tense finale, but Chelsea held on to secure a 2–1 victory. Webb issued three yellow cards (to Frank Lampard, Claude Makélélé and Fàbregas) in a game that saw 11 substitutions.[http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACommunityShield/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/07/CommunityShield2005_MatchReport.htm Arsenal v. Chelsea] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20050809002204/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACommunityShield/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/07/CommunityShield2005_MatchReport.htm |date=9 August 2005 }}, FA Community Shield 2005 match report: TheFA.com website.

In May 2006, Webb took charge of the FA Trophy final at Upton Park in London. Grays Athletic beat Woking 2–0 through goals from Dennis Oli and Glenn Poole, both just before half-time.[http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/matches/archives/001262.html Grays Athletic v. Woking] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005528/http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/matches/archives/001262.html |date=27 September 2007 }}, FA Trophy Final 2006: Grays Athletic website. No players found their way into the book.Image:Howard Webb2.JPG

The 2007 Football League Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was an incident-filled match. The match ended with a brawl, with most of the players on the pitch becoming involved. Managers José Mourinho and Arsène Wenger both entered the pitch in an attempt to calm the situation. As a result of the mêlée, Webb sent off Mikel John Obi of Chelsea and Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal, and showed yellow cards to Frank Lampard and Cesc Fàbregas.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm Carling Cup Final], 2007: Match report at BBC.co.uk website. This was the first time that three red cards had been shown in a League Cup final. Indeed, before this game, only three red cards had been shown in all of the previous finals.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

Webb took charge of the 2009 FA Cup final, the 128th final of the world's oldest domestic football cup competition. It was played at Wembley Stadium in London and was the third time that an FA Cup final had been staged at the stadium since it was rebuilt. The match was contested by Chelsea and Everton, with Chelsea coming out on top to record their fifth FA Cup success. Webb cautioned Mikel John Obi and Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Tony Hibbert, Phil Neville and Leighton Baines of Everton.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8075105.stm|title=FA Cup final as it happened|work=BBC Sport|access-date=29 October 2016|date=30 May 2009}}

File:Howard Webb3.jpg

Webb's first international game was at Windsor Park, Belfast, in November 2005 when Northern Ireland hosted Portugal in a friendly match. It ended 1–1 with the home side scoring both goals: Northern Ireland went 1–0 down just before half-time through a Stephen Craigan own goal but Warren Feeney salvaged a draw by netting in the second half. Tony Capaldi, Keith Gillespie and James Quinn were booked for Northern Ireland.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4431164.stm |title=N. Ireland v. Portugal, friendly match 2005|work= BBC Sport|date=15 November 2005|access-date=28 October 2012}}

The 2006 European Under-21 Championship qualifying rounds began in August 2004, with the finals taking place in Portugal in May and June 2006. Webb officiated a group A match between France and Portugal, which the former won 1–0,[https://web.archive.org/web/20070101170327/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/Under21/FixturesResults/Round=1912/Match=83591/Report=LU.html France v. Portugal Under-21] match lineups from www.uefa.com and a Group B match between Italy and Ukraine, which the Italians won.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060916004812/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/Under21/FixturesResults/Round=1912/Match=83597/Report=LU.html Italy v. Ukraine Under-21] match lineups from www.uefa.com Webb also took charge of one of the two semi-finals, which saw Ukraine beat Serbia and Montenegro 5–4 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090111221001/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=1913/match=84132/report=lu.html Ukraine v. Serbia and Montenegro Under-21] match lineups from www.uefa.com He was also appointed fourth official for the final in Porto, where the Netherlands beat Ukraine 3–0.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090111221006/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=1914/match=84133/report=lu.html Netherlands v. Ukraine Under-21] match lineups from www.uefa.com

A UEFA Champions League group match on 26 September 2006 between Steaua București and Lyon was Webb's first European appointment. The match, played at the Ghencea Stadium in Bucharest, finished 3–0 to Lyon, with Webb issuing four yellow cards during the course of the match.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140309031003/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/matches/round=2357/match=1116339/prematch/preview/ First European] appointment, match report at UEFA.com Official website.

Webb was selected to officiate at the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada and his first appointment was a Group D match between Poland and Brazil at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070703072300/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=249401/match=58866/summary.html Poland v. Brazil], 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup: FIFA.com website. He then took charge of a group C game between Mexico and Portugal at the National Soccer Stadium in Toronto[https://web.archive.org/web/20070826101325/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=249401/match=58857/report.html Mexico v. Portugal], 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup: FIFA.com website. and a group A match between Canada and Congo at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/canada2007/results/match=58846/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001195638/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/canada2007/results/match=58846/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2009|title=FIFA U-20 World Cup archive |website=FIFA.com|access-date=16 February 2017}} Webb was retained for the knock-out stage of the tournament, and refereed a quarter-final in Montreal where Chile defeated Nigeria 4–0 with all four goals being scored in extra time.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/canada2007/results/match=58888/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207085827/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u20worldcup/canada2007/results/match=58888/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 February 2009|title=FIFA U-20 World Cup archive |website=FIFA.com|access-date=16 February 2017}}

In December 2007, Webb was selected as England's representative to referee at UEFA Euro 2008, with Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey as his assistants.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7152694.stm |title=Referee Webb chosen for Euro 2008 | work=BBC Sport | access-date=13 June 2008 | date=19 December 2007}} Whilst refereeing his first match of the tournament, a Group B match between Austria and Poland, and with less than one minute left in stoppage time, he awarded Austria a penalty kick after he adjudged Poland's Mariusz Lewandowski to have pulled the shirt of Sebastian Prödl. The penalty was converted and the match finished 1–1.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7363070.stm |title=Austria 1–1 Poland | work=BBC Sport | access-date=13 June 2008 | date=12 June 2008 | first=Jonathan | last=Stevenson}} UEFA official William Gaillard said the decision was not controversial and was correct.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7452759.stm |title=Uefa supports Webb over penalty | work=BBC Sport |access-date=13 June 2008 | date=13 June 2008}} Webb said that "the penalty was clear and I hope that people later will look at it and realise it was the only decision that could be taken".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/15/greece.spain?gusrc=rss&feed=sport |title=Webb to referee Greece against Spain | work=Guardian online |access-date=15 June 2008 | location=London | date=15 June 2008}} Webb refereed his second game of Euro 2008 when he took charge of a Group D match in which Greece lost 2–1 to Spain.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7363473.stm |title=Greece 1–2 Spain | work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 June 2008 | date=18 June 2008 |first=Andrew |last=McKenzie}} UEFA stated on 19 June that Webb had not been selected to referee matches in the knock-out phase of the tournament.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7455468.stm|title=Euro 2008 over for referee Webb | work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 June 2008 | date=19 June 2008}}

Webb was handed a one-week demotion to the Football League Championship from officiating in the Premier League in April 2009 after he awarded Manchester United a penalty kick while they trailed 2–0 to Tottenham Hotspur. The penalty was converted and United went on to win the match 5–2. Webb later admitted he had made "a mistake" but had awarded the penalty "honestly".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/28/howard-webb-referee-dropped-championship|title=Webb switched to Championship after Manchester United penalty decision|date=28 April 2009|work=The Guardian|location=London}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8022476.stm|title=Webb admits to penalty 'mistake'|date=28 April 2009|work=BBC News}}

In June 2009, Webb was one of the referees at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, where he took charge of two games: A 4–3 win for Brazil over Egypt,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8097813.stm|title=Brazil 4–3 Egypt |date=15 June 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2018}} and a 0–0 draw between Iraq and New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=250116/match=66200/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623194354/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=250116/match=66200/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 June 2009 |title=Iraq 0–0 New Zealand |date=20 June 2009 |work=FIFA.com |access-date=30 June 2009}} Throughout the tournament, Webb wrote a regular blog detailing his experiences as a referee while at the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.com|title=Refworld.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209021920/http://www.refworld.com/|archive-date=9 December 2009}}

In May 2010, Webb was announced as the referee for the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8694338.stm |title=Howard Webb will referee the Champions League final |work=BBC News |date=20 May 2010 |access-date=12 July 2010}} He showed yellow cards to Martín Demichelis and Mark van Bommel of Bayern Munich and cautioned Cristian Chivu of Inter Milan. Inter won the match 2–0 through two goals by striker Diego Milito.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

In December 2011, Webb was named one of the 12 referees selected by UEFA to take charge of games at Euro 2012. He was in charge of a Group A fixture between Russia and Czech Republic on the opening day in Wrocław, a Group C fixture between Italy and Croatia in Poznań, and a quarter-final between the Czech Republic and Portugal in Warsaw.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

Webb was selected as a referee for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. He refereed a Group A match in Fortaleza between Mexico and Brazil, which ended in a 2–0 win for the home nation; Webb issued five cautions.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

On 24 October 2008, FIFA announced that Webb was on the provisional list of referees for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa{{cite web |author=Jams Ng |url=http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkType=referee&contextType=bio&linkID=501 |title=Controversy |publisher=worldfeferee.com |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525191013/https://www.webcitation.org/669Qcc8fM?url=http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php%3FlinkType=referee |url-status=dead }} and later confirmed that Webb had been selected as a referee for the finals. Webb took charge of a Group H match between Spain and Switzerland in Durban, where Switzerland stunned Spain with a 1–0 win;{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_16 |title=Spain 0–1 Switzerland|date=16 June 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 June 2010}} a Group F match between Italy and Slovakia in Johannesburg, which also resulted in an upset as Slovakia won and ended Italy's reign as world champions;{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_41 |title=Slovakia 03-2 Italy |date=24 June 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=24 June 2010}} and a round of 16 knockout match between Brazil and Chile, also in Johannesburg.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_54 |title=Brazil 3–0 Chile|date=28 June 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 June 2010}}

Webb refereed the World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/08/howard-webb-referee-world-cup-final|title=Howard Webb given honour of refereeing World Cup final|date=8 July 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 July 2010 | location=London}} He was assisted by Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.{{cite web |title=Webb to Referee World Cup Final |publisher=soccernet.espn.com |date=8 July 2010 |access-date=8 July 2010 |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/807167/ce/uk/?cc=5901&ver=global |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021224314/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/807167/ce/uk/?cc=5901&ver=global |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2012 }} Webb was the first English referee to take charge of a World Cup final since Jack Taylor in 1974 – a game in which the Netherlands lost to West Germany.{{Cite news | last = Pearse | first = Damien | title = Howard Webb: English Referee Books 14 Players In World Cup Final Between Spain And Holland | work = Sky News | access-date =12 July 2010 | date = 11 July 2010 | url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Howard-Webb-English-Referee-Books-14-Players-In-World-Cup-Final-Between-Spain-And-Holland/Article/201007215663335?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15663335_Howard_Webb%3A_English_Referee_Books_14_Players_In_World_Cup_Final_Between_Spain_And_Holland_ }} Webb issued 14 yellow cards, including two to the Netherlands' John Heitinga who was subsequently sent off, more than doubling the former record of six yellows for a World Cup final, set in 1986.{{Cite news | last = Fifield | first = Dominic | title = World Cup final: Howard Webb's dream job descends into nightmare | work = The Guardian | location = London | access-date =12 July 2010 | date = 12 July 2010 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/12/howard-webb-final-nightmare-yellow-cards }}

The match was seen as a very difficult one to referee.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2010/07/world_cup_final.html#231946|title=Spain worthy winners on a tough night for Webb|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|date=12 July 2010|access-date=12 July 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/7884835/World-Cup-final-referee-Howard-Webbs-wife-hails-her-husbands-performance.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715063628/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/7884835/World-Cup-final-referee-Howard-Webbs-wife-hails-her-husbands-performance.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2010|title=World Cup final: referee Howard Webb's wife hails her husband's performance|date=12 July 2010|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 July 2010 | location=London}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/07/13/2023029/world-cup-2010-premier-league-chief-richard-scudamore|title=World Cup 2010: Premier League chief Richard Scudamore defends final referee Howard Webb|last=Wilson|first=Zack|date=13 July 2010|work=goal.com|access-date=13 July 2010}} The Dutch were criticised for their rough play,{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/article545898.ece/Spain-lauded-Dutch-castigated-for-brutal-World-Cup-final|title=Spain lauded, Dutch castigated for 'brutal' World Cup final|last=Swanson|first=Mika|date=12 July 2010|work=Sunday Times|access-date=12 July 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8812484.stm|title=World Cup 2010: Dutch tactics upset Johan Cruyff|date=12 July 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 July 2010}} and some thought Webb was generous for not showing any red cards to the Dutch players until ten minutes before the end of extra time.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/12/howard-webb-final-nightmare-yellow-cards|title=World Cup final: Howard Webb's dream job descends into nightmare|last=Fifield|first=Dominic|date=12 July 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 July 2010 | location=London}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8809048.stm|title=World Cup 2010: Dutch coach criticises referee Webb|date=12 July 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 July 2010}} Webb later conceded that had he had a better viewing angle of a high challenge from Nigel de Jong he would have sent him off,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/25/nigel-jong-howard-webb-referee|title=I should have sent off De Jong in World Cup final, admits Howard Webb|date=25 August 2010|work=The Guardian|location=London}} and De Jong later admitted he was "lucky" to only receive a yellow card.{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Gregg |title=De Jong: I hope to have a beer and laugh about 'that' tackle with Alonso one day |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/de-jong-i-hope-have-a-beer-and-laugh-about-tackle-alonso-one-day |website=FourFourTwo |access-date=2 September 2020 |date=6 June 2018}} FIFA president Sepp Blatter defended Webb, noting that it was "not easy" to control such a match. Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter said Webb "had a superb game"{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/07/12/football.spain.netherlands.referee.webb/?fbid=gj7T11NqpQj |title=Referees defend Webb after World Cup final criticism - CNN.com |publisher=CNN |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=15 July 2010}} while Scotland's Alan Hansen condemned the Dutch, saying that, "Webb tried to make the game flow but on this occasion he was left with no choice." The British Referees' Association said "it would be almost impossible to disagree with any of the bookings he issued",{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-cup/news/2010/07/13/webb-backed-115875-22408994/|title=Howard Webb backed by referees over World Cup final display|date=13 July 2010|work=The Mirror|access-date=13 July 2010}} while former FA Cup final referee Keith Hackett noted that "anyone who criticises the officials lacks the knowledge and experience of someone who has refereed" and called on FIFA to punish the Dutch players who castigated Webb to the press.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/news/7886216/World-Cup-2010-Howard-Webb-had-an-outstanding-tournament-says-Keith-Hackett.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716165559/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/news/7886216/World-Cup-2010-Howard-Webb-had-an-outstanding-tournament-says-Keith-Hackett.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2010|title=World Cup 2010: Howard Webb had an outstanding tournament, says Keith Hackett|last=Wilson|first=Jeremy|date=13 July 2010|work=The Telegraph|access-date=13 July 2010 | location=London}}

Webb took charge of three qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. He refereed the UEFA qualification group D match between Turkey and Romania in October 2012 in Istanbul,{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/round=258374/match=300183571/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019200503/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/round=258374/match=300183571/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2012 |title=Europe | Turkey 0:1 (0:1) Romania | Report | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Preliminaries |publisher=FIFA.com |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=15 January 2014}} the Group E match between Norway and Switzerland in September 2013 in Oslo{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/round=258374/match=300182247/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005022006/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/round=258374/match=300182247/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 October 2013 |title=Europe | Norway 0:2 (0:1) Switzerland | Report | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Preliminaries |publisher=FIFA.com |date=9 September 2013 |access-date=15 January 2014}} and the Group A match between Croatia and Belgium in October 2013 in Zagreb.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/round=258374/match=300182183/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000236/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/matches/round=258374/match=300182183/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 October 2013 |title=2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Preliminaries: Europe – Matches: Croatia 1:2 (0:2) Belgium |publisher=FIFA.com |date=14 August 2013 |access-date=15 January 2014}} In January 2014, it was announced that Webb had been included on the referees' list for the finals in Brazil.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25741538|title=2014 Fifa World Cup: Referee Howard Webb selected for finals|date=15 January 2014|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=15 January 2014}}

On 19 June, he officiated the Group C match between Colombia and the Ivory Coast in Brasília.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27893455|title=World Cup 2014: Howard Webb to referee Colombia v Ivory Coast|date=17 June 2014|access-date=17 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC}} Webb also refereed the first knockout match on 28 June between Brazil and Chile in Belo Horizonte. Host nation Brazil won a penalty shootout 3–2 after the game finished 1–1 after extra-time.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27952759|title=Brazil 1 – 1 Chile|date=28 June 2014|access-date=20 June 2014|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport}}

On 6 August 2014, the Premier League announced that Webb had retired from active refereeing in order to take up the role of technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board. Webb said, "Refereeing has given me so much and I think it's important that match officials who have had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge."

Webb then became director of referees for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, while also joining BT Sport as an analyst. After resigning his position with SAFF in January 2017 – to be replaced by Mark Clattenburg – it was announced that from March 2017 he would become the Manager of Video Assistant Referee Operations for Major League Soccer's Professional Referee Organization.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/07/howard-webb-takes-key-referees-job-united-states/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/07/howard-webb-takes-key-referees-job-united-states/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Howard Webb takes key referee's job in the United States|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=16 February 2017}}{{cbignore}}

In August 2022 it was announced that Webb would return to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited as chief refereeing officer.{{cite news |title=PGMOL: Former referee Howard Webb to return to English football after seven years |work=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62664278 |access-date=24 August 2022}}

Webb refereed 296 Premier League matches, 43 in the FA Cup, 36 in the Champions League, 19 in the EFL Cup, 6 in World Cups, 5 in European Championships, and 4 in Confederations Cups.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/referee_summary/howard-webb/1/1|title=Howard Webb}}

Statistics for all competitions including domestic, European and international. Records prior to 2000–01 are not available.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/referees/referee.sd?referee_id=434 |title=Howard Webb | Latest Football Betting Odds |publisher=Soccer Base |access-date=15 January 2014}}

Webb issued at least one card in every game he refereed in the 2002–03 and 2004–05 seasons. The first red card he showed in the Premier League was to Michael Svensson of Southampton for a second bookable offence in a 0–0 draw at Bolton Wanderers on 8 November 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/match/?page_id=6599&fixture=2258988&t=1 |title=First red card in Premier League|website= SAINTSFC.co.uk |archive-date=29 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091324/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/match/?page_id=6599&fixture=2258988&t=1|access-date=1 February 2012}} The 2003–04 season saw Webb issue his highest proportion of red cards yet: nine in 34 games. Between 17 February and 17 March 2007, he showed five red cards all in the 90th minute of matches.

In four fixtures since the 2000–01 season he has issued two red cards in the same game, three times dismissing one player from either side, and once reducing one team (Wimbledon in December 2001) to nine men.[http://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2001-12-22 Norwich v. Wimbledon] match information from www.soccerbase.com He has once shown three red cards in the same match: the 2007 Football League Cup Final.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

Webb has sent off two goalkeepers since 2000–01: Kelvin Davis of Wimbledon in December 2001[http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=350152 Kelvin Davis (footballer)|] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001202035/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=350152 |date=1 October 2007 }} dismissal from www.soccerbase.com and John Filan of Wigan Athletic in March 2004.[https://web.archive.org/web/20040914235746/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=416637 John Filan] dismissal from www.soccerbase.com

Webb was married and has three children. He and his first wife separated in 2016.{{cn|date=December 2018}} He is in a relationship with Bibiana Steinhaus, a German Bundesliga referee,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/10/bibiana-steinhaus-interview-life-europes-leading-female-referee/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/10/bibiana-steinhaus-interview-life-europes-leading-female-referee/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Bibiana Steinhaus interview: Life as Europe's leading female referee in a male-dominated world |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=12 June 2019}}{{cbignore}} whom he married in March 2021.{{cite web |title=Referees Howard Webb and Bibiana Steinhaus marry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56734091 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 April 2021 |date=13 April 2021}}

He was a sergeant in the South Yorkshire Police before turning professional as a referee. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to football.{{London Gazette |issue=59647 |date=31 December 2010 |page=23 |supp=y }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12090365|title=New Year Honours unveiled|date=31 December 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=17 January 2014}}

He is a Rotherham United supporter.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/News/my-football/referees/2012/oct/howard-webb-part-one.aspx# |title=The website for the English football association, The FA Cup and The England football team – Take Part |publisher=The FA |access-date=15 January 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407105538/https://www.thefa.com/News/my-football/referees/2012/oct/howard-webb-part-one.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27538384|title=Referee Webb wants Rotherham promotion|work=BBC Sport|date=23 May 2014|access-date=13 January 2018}}

In June 2011, Webb was made president of the Baris Northern Counties East Football League, a league in which he had once officiated.{{cite web|url=http://www.barisncel.co.uk/news/league/2011/2300-leagueannouncenewsponsorotheragmnews/|title=League Announce New Sponsor + Other AGM News|date=18 June 2011|publisher=Toolstation Northern Counties East Football League|access-date=17 January 2014}} In July 2011 he received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Bedfordshire.{{cite web|url=http://www.beds.ac.uk/news/2011/jul/110713-Bedford|title=Super nine join Bedfordshire graduates|date=13 July 2011|publisher=University of Bedfordshire|access-date=17 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015065105/http://www.beds.ac.uk/news/2011/jul/110713-Bedford|archive-date=15 October 2013}} In November 2011 he also gained an honorary degree from York St John University as a Doctor of Health Sciences.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/about/honorary-graduates.aspx|title=Honorary graduates|year=2014|publisher=York St John University|access-date=17 January 2014|archive-date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206100545/http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/about/honorary-graduates.aspx|url-status=dead}}

He began his career in policing in 1993 and took a five-year career break in 2008 to focus on refereeing. He returned to the South Yorkshire Police in April 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.southyorks.police.uk/news-syp/top-referee-returns-police-force-work-young-people-football-initiative|title=Top referee returns to police force to work with young people on football initiative |publisher=South Yorkshire Police|access-date=16 February 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821142041/http://refworld.com/referee/24/0/howard-webb |title=Howard Webb at Refworld.com |date=21 August 2011}}
• {{Soccerbase referee}}
• {{Soccerway referee|howard-webb/44521}}
• {{WorldFootball.net referee}}
• {{EU-Football.info referee}}

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{{flagicon|England}} Howard Webb

{{succession box|title=2010 FIFA World Cup Final Referee|before=2006 FIFA World Cup Final
{{flagicon|Argentina}} Horacio Elizondo|after=2014 FIFA World Cup Final
{{flagicon|Italy}} Nicola Rizzoli}}

{{succession box|title=2010 UEFA Champions League Final Referee|before=2009 UEFA Champions League Final
{{flagicon|Switzerland}} Massimo Busacca|after=2011 UEFA Champions League Final
{{flagicon|Hungary}} Viktor Kassai}}

{{succession box|title=2009 FA Cup Final|before=Mike Dean|after=Chris Foy}}

{{succession box|title=2007 Football League Cup Final|before=Alan Wiley|after=Mark Halsey}}

{{succession box|title=2006 FA Trophy Final|before=Phil Dowd|after=Chris Foy}}

{{succession box|title=2005 FA Community Shield|before=Mike Dean|after=Martin Atkinson}}

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Category:1971 births

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